7:32am

SNOW DAY

ARIZONA DESERT

My friend Kyle was doing a family camp out / hunt in the Arizona desert. They found a tortoise shell. Rather unusual for the desert, but pretty interesting!

WORD OF THE DAY

POOLINGUAL: A person who speaks fluent bullshit.

HUMAN MEDICINE

Some people are human medicine. You spend an hour with them and everything feels better.

I am blessed to have a couple of these people 

in my life. 

They are truly the 

very best medicine!

MY BEST VALENTINE

BEST STORY EVER TOLD

Take pictures of everything.

Tell people you love them.

Strike up a conversation with strangers.

Do the things that scare you. 

Because so many of us leave this world and no one remembers 

a thing we did. 

Make your life the best 

story ever told. 

Don’t waste it!

BE MINE

CONFORM

“One of the wonderful things about getting older is that I don’t have to conform. I don’t need to fit in, nor do I need to prove a damn thing to anybody.” 

Alton Brown

FRAUD CASE

Two days before Christmas I got an email from Kohl’s letting me know that my order was ready. But by the time I read my emails I also had one that said that my order had been shipped. 

I hadn’t ordered anything.

Yet… a 10 inch Twin Extra Long Mattress in a Box was being sent to my house. 

WHAT!!!

As soon as I read the emails I called Kohls.

I was told that my card would be cancelled and a fraud case would be opened. I would need to wait for 60 days for a letter from the fraud department.

Like I said, this was two days before Christmas. My head was all over the place. But the day after Christmas I called back to Kohl’s, because the man I had spoken to never said anything about this package that was still en route to my home. 

The woman that I spoke to on call number 2 said that NO fraud case had been opened. 

WHAT?!!!!!

She said she would start the fraud case. I would need to keep the package once it was delivered (no I could not just take it to the local Kohls store and get a refund) and wait for the fraud letter that would come within 60 days. And I would not need to make a payment until the fraud case is determined.

January 6th a large box was delivered and there it lived, in my small entry for far too long. 

The first week in February 

I get a call from the collection department at Kohls. 

They want to know why I have not made a payment. 

I was speaking to Maggy this time. 

I’m sure that wasn’t her given name.

And she got to hear the entire story. And she said… there is NO FRAUD CASE HERE. 

WHAT?

She told me she would open a fraud case for me. I will get a letter in 60 days. 

But yes, I should take the package to the store and get a refund. 

So that night, after work I took the large box to the Kohl’s store and the sweet manager was happy to help me. But when she tried to ring up the refund, she could only ring up a portion of it… because…

It wasn’t as I had thought, it wasn’t some thoughtless person who used my account to buy a mattress and was not smart enough to not ship it to my address. Nope!

They didn’t want the $635.00 mattress. They wanted the $129.00 of Kohls Cash that they got automatically. 

(It didn’t come to me, even though it was my account, it went to them)

So

The store manager called the fraud team and they said… there is no fraud case on this.

I KID YOU NOT!

He said he would open the fraud case and I would get a letter with in 60 days.

 I wanted to cry. 

I left the box with the store manager but did not get the refund. 

The store manager gave me the phone number for the fraud department. And told me she would be back in the store in two days. 

The next day I called the fraud number, just because I could. 

And the girl I spoke with told me that there was  NO FRAUDE REPORT 

So I asked to a manager. 

After requesting a manager for over 10 minutes 

I got Laura. 

She had a lovely British accent. 

Her attitude was far from lovely.

 She also told me there was 

No Fraud Case.

 She got my entire story. 

She told me to go to the store and get the refund I could get and the remainder would be at the mercy of the FRAUD CASE! 

I told her that I was sorry but I did not trust her that there was truly now going to be a FRAUD CASE!

The following day I called the store manager, she ran the refund to my card… and the entire amount was refunded to my account. I was shocked and so was the store manager. 

I love Kohl’s but I will never have a Kohl’s account again. 

Ever!

I would like to teach all their fraud department where they could put their FRAUD CASE!!!

VS

Co-Workers VS Friends

I worked in my last office for 10 years. I can say that all those that I worked with except one, were friends. 

I would have been there for any of them in a crisis outside the office. I associate with all of them outside business hours. I liked most of them. 

But there was one, who made it a point to say, for all ten years, that she wasn’t there for friends she was there for a paycheck. 

I think that was pretty sad. She and I had more in common than I had in common with anyone else at that office. But we were not friends. 

Last year, I moved to a new office. It’s small. I have nothing in common with my coworkers. But my direct coworker is my friend. 

Being someone’s friend is a choice. 

When you spend more time with your coworkers than you do your family, I think it would be nice to be their friends, not just someone you share office equipment with. 

Just my thoughts.

THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING

Optimists tend to explain bad events as due to a temporary external cause and have a generally positive view of life’s ups and downs. Because optimists tend to actively engage in planning and problem solving, they may experience less anxiety and stress than pessimists. Research suggests that positive thinking and optimism can impact health. Positive emotions are associated with a decreased production of the stress hormone cortisol, along with improved immune function, and reduced disease risk. Even simple laughter may boost immunity, relieve pain, lower stress, and help protect against heart disease by lowering blood pressure.

Dr Weil

https://www.drweil.com/blog/health-tips/optimism-gratitude-the-power-of-positive-thinking/?utm_campaign=Daily%20Tip%2002122025&utm_content=Daily%20Tip%2002122025%20CID_8cbede8af74e42cc55d4c83b518b1129&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Email&utm_term=The%20Power%20Of%20Positivity

JUST GO

Stop asking for directions from people who’ve never been where you’re going. 

Just go!

LETS WONDER

     The more I wonder…

the more I love.

Alice Walker

DISTRACTION

$1M Dam Project in 2 Days

Beavers know a thing or two about efficiency — and this story is evidence of that. Last week, a beaver colony in the Brdy region of the Czech Republic cut out the middlemen and built several dams right where they were needed, all in the span of about two days. For context, the local government had a plan in the works since 2018 to restore waterways in the area, but the animals essentially beat them to it.
​
“They built the dams without any project documentation and for free,” Bohumil Fišer, head of the Brdy Protected Landscape Area Administration, said in a translated statement, per Radio Prague International. He added that the beavers saved the government around 30 million Czech crowns — the equivalent of $1.2 million.
​
The beavers’ craftwork will go a long way, benefiting the rare stone crayfish, frogs, and other wetland species. “Beavers always know best,” added Jaroslav Obermajer, head of the Central Bohemian Office of the Czech Nature and Landscape Protection Agency. “The places where they build dams are always chosen just right — better than when we design it on paper.”

Nice News

GIRL TIME

Thank you to Brenda and Jessica for putting on a wonderful girls event. I so needed this.

SILENT SUPPORT

Ernest Hemingway once said: In our darkest moments, we don’t need solutions or advice. What we yearn for is simply human connection—a quiet presence, a gentle touch. These small gestures are the anchors that hold us steady when life feels like too much.

Please don’t try to fix me. Don’t take on my pain or push away my shadows. Just sit beside me as I work through my own inner storms. Be the steady hand I can reach for as I find my way.

My pain is mine to carry, my battles mine to face. But your presence reminds me I’m not alone in this vast, sometimes frightening world. It’s a quiet reminder that I am worthy of love, even when I feel broken.

So, in those dark hours when I lose my way, will you just be here? Not as a rescuer, but as a companion. Hold my hand until the dawn arrives, helping me remember my strength.

Your silent support is the most precious gift you can give. It’s a love that helps me remember who I am, even when I forget.

*I want to be that silent support.

MEMPHIS PYRAMID

ON THE ICE

GREAT JOB OWENSBORO RAMPAGE!

WHO WE ARE

The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have

Vince Lombardi

FOLLOW IT

“The path from dreams to success does exist. May you have the vision to find it, the courage to get on to it, and the perseverance to follow it.”

K. Chawlaw

CHECKING ANOTHER OFF THE LIST

It’s always been on my list, today I add another ✔️

ROAD TRIP WITH MEN

Today I’m taking a road trip with three generations of men. We are headed to Mississippi to watch the youngest play hockey. 

The sky is overcast, the woods and fields are winter dressed, and sports and old stories are being shared in the car. 

Not a bad way to share a Saturday morning in February. 

FLATTERING

A gentleman stopped by my office yesterday. He had a few questions, and one did lead to another. He told me about his travels and his adventures. And before long he was telling me about the “Fryeburg Fair in Maine”. 

It sounded like great fun. He was very nice. 

But, travel is my business, everyone talks to me about their travel. 

Today, the same man stopped into my office. His pretense for stopping was pretty flimsy, but he pulled up a seat and started to chat. After a few minutes he asked me if I was seeing anyone one. I told him I was. He was deflated. He let me know what a great time we could have adventuring together. 

I thanked him. I told him I was flattered. Then I showed him to the door. 

Sweet man. But he is older than my mother! I wouldn’t want that kind of responsibility!!!

CHINESE NEW YEAR 🧧

What animal are you?

NO FEAR

“Don’t be afraid 

to take time to learn.”

​

                                      – VERA WANG

MY FIRST GRANDFURBABY

HARLY was my first Grandfurbaby. She was always a bundle of energy and she loved everybody. We were blessed to get to keep her at our house this weekend. I think it was good for the grandparents to get one last weekend loving and caring for her. But today sweet Harley got to go to the Rainbow Bridge.

And although our hearts are broken, we know she is in a better place, no longer suffering. And able to be the puppy she always knew she was. 

🐾♥️

TURNING 45 IN 2025

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST: Queen

CALL ME: Blondy

9 to 5: Dolly Parton

HIT ME EITH YOUR BEST SHOT: Pat Benatar

KEEP ON LIVING YOU: REO Speedwagon

KISS ON MY LIST: Hall & Oates

FUNKYTOWN: Lipps Inc

IT’S STILL ROCK AND ROLL TO ME: Billy Joel

CELEBRATION: Kool &The Gang

DON’T STAND SO CLOSE TO ME: The Police

*All these songs were during my formative years. I can sing every word. I lived through the very best music eras! 45 year ago I was almost 14.

OLD AGE OR WHAT?

I started a load of laundry this morning. Just a blanket really. But it’s a start to my Sunday list of things to do. I’m still in my flannel nightgown with slippers and a big cozy sweater. As I walk through the kitchen I pick up my mug of hot tea and head to the living room. But I realize that even though my slippers are on, my feet are ice cold. So I go into my room to grab a pair of fuzzy at home socks. But think to myself, I should just hop into the showers. So I go to pick an outfit for the day. But the leggings I want to wear are in the dirty laundry. So I choose something else and remember the fuzzy socks. I get into the bathroom only to remember that I just started the washing machine. I can’t shower while the demon water handler is running. So I leave my outfit in the bathroom, take my cup to the living room. And remember that my feet are cold. 

So I wrapped up in my Irish wool blanket and I think I may need a nap. 

BE HER EVERY DAY

MISSING THE HOME TURF

Every now and then I miss it. Only for a few minutes. 

I took this photo out of the car window last July in Phoenix on the highway. 

FLY DARLING

What if I fall?

Oh but my darling

What if you

fly?

TONIGHTS SKY

Skywatchers are in for a celestial treat as six planets — Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus — will all be visible in the night sky. 

While Mars, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn are visible to the naked eye, spotting Neptune and Uranus requires a telescope. The best time to start watching this astronomical event is shortly after sunset, to ensure that you catch all the planets.

They say this event lasts through the end of January.

FRIENDSHIP

“Our friends advertise the kaleidoscope of ways we can live. They expose us to new ways of being in the world, showing us another life is possible.”

​

– MARISA G. FRANCO

MAGICAL

I took this photo of mermaid scales when I was in Cozumel. I think traveling, no matter near or far, gives us a great opportunity to search for the magic hidden in plain sight. The day before, we saw flamingos in the wild, in Mexico. How cool is that! 

I think if we take the time to look at our surroundings and marvel at the splendor and amazement we will always find the magic, no matter where we are!